Need a new TV, dammit...

[user 22118]

I love our sharp aquos TV. Beautiful image. I don't like how it has the auto brightness so that every single time it goes from bright outside to dark inside on Law and Order, the screen has to adjust.

 

[Dalarast]

Trust me the sharp Aquos is waaaayyyy over rated. I bought this one and it was very disappointing. I returned it and fixed my old samsung DLP.

I have the newer model of that TV I got from a contest for my job and I love it for what it is. Its a great TV and has alot of good bell's and whistles if you will; but if I had to buy a 52'' or any large tv for sports, movies, and regular tv viewing I would of went plasma (either Samsung or Panasonic) over any TV we have in our stock.

But once I got my TV calibrated the image is so much clearer that its as close as I could get an LCD image to a plasma image.

Did you know with a blu-ray version of the 2009 StarTrek you can see R2D2 (from starwars) flying through space?? Yeah a benefit of a great tv and bluray

 

[the_bird]

Woot! TV should be here tomorrow.

Gotta love Amazon. Not only was shipping free, but I ordered yesterday, it was shipped this morning for delivery tomorrow. Free overnight shipping, can't ask for better than that.

 

[user 22118]

Did you know with a blu-ray version of the 2009 StarTrek you can see R2D2 (from starwars) flying through space?? Yeah a benefit of a great tv and bluray

Where? I have blu-ray and that movie. Oh, and congrats on the TV Bird

 

[Dalarast]

Where? I have blu-ray and that movie. Oh, and congrats on the TV Bird

When the Enterprise enters the battle late and is dodging destroyed ships it has to "dive" below a damaged ship and scrapes the engines... it flashes to spock and then back to a viewscreen image. Pause the image and go slowly and look in the bottom left corner of the viewscreen till you see R2D2. Its like at 40-48 minutes into the movie; but so funny.

Side note: JJ Abrams is a huge fan of STARWARS and not StarTrek hence R2D2

 

[the_bird]

OK, TV came today. Got everything hooked up as best I can - cable, DVD, Wii.

Thing is, we're not getting the HD channels, and I'm looking for confirmation about what I think the problem is.

The cable box is a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300, DVR. Had it since we swapped to Time Warner a couple years ago. We have digital cable, and that's supposed to include the HD channels for Time Warner,

If I'm understanding things, though, I need to have either a HDMI connection or maybe a component video output to GET those signals, right? The cable box/DVR has neither; we've always just used the co-ax (which I kjnow is SDTV) and I think it's got the old analogue video out connections (two video, one audio - or maybe vice-versa, whatever).

So, I need to call Time Warner and get a new cable box, right?

 

[Dalarast]

OK, TV came today. Got everything hooked up as best I can - cable, DVD, Wii.

Thing is, we're not getting the HD channels, and I'm looking for confirmation about what I think the problem is.

The cable box is a Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300, DVR. Had it since we swapped to Time Warner a couple years ago. We have digital cable, and that's supposed to include the HD channels for Time Warner,

If I'm understanding things, though, I need to have either a HDMI connection or maybe a component video output to GET those signals, right? The cable box/DVR has neither; we've always just used the co-ax (which I kjnow is SDTV) and I think it's got the old analogue video out connections (two video, one audio - or maybe vice-versa, whatever).

So, I need to call Time Warner and get a new cable box, right?

Yep all you should have to do is contact Time Warner OR if the local BestBuy has it you can go by and pick up the HD box from them or the local cable office (no charge if its the same as the local cable company in my area). Once you get the new box you'll probably get a 1-800 number to call to set up the new box and then it will load all the channels.

I always say use HDMI for any HD signal such as hd cable or bluray for better quality sound and video; but you can get by with some component cables. Once more I'll plug bestbuy and recommend the insignia cables which are only 39.99 (compared to the 99.99) monster cables and have enough speed to flow 120hz signal.

Enjoy man!

 

[klyph]

Once more I'll plug bestbuy and recommend the insignia cables which are only 39.99 (compared to the 99.99) monster cables and have enough speed to flow 120hz signal.

Please don't pay any more than $10 for a cable. If your cable is less than 6 feet, and especially at 720p, you'll be throwing your money away.

 

[DeafSmith]

Please don't pay any more than $10 for a cable. If your cable is less than 6 feet, and especially at 720p, you'll be throwing your money away.

Monoprice.com - I recently bought 4 HDMI 1.3a Cat. 2 28AWG cables - 6 feet long with ferrite cores and gold plated connectors for $3.34 each. That's right, less than $4 per cable and they work great at 1080p.

 

[klyph]

Werd, at short distances, coat hangers can carry the exact HDMI signal as a 100 dollar monster cable.

 

[Blender]

Werd, at short distances, coat hangers can carry the exact HDMI signal as a 100 dollar monster cable.

I'm not one to buy costly cables but how does a coat hanger transmit sound or a 1080P signal?

 

[Zen_Brew]

I'm not one to buy costly cables but how does a coat hanger transmit sound or a 1080P signal?

LOL. I think you must have old school coat hangers. I'm sure he is referring to the newer 16 conductor helical wound coat hangers.

 

[the_bird]

Trust me, I didn't splurge and by myself a 37" or 42" TV, I'm not going to waste the savings on cables!

I'm still a cheap Yankee basterd at heart.

 

[mmb]

I'm not one to buy costly cables but how does a coat hanger transmit sound or a 1080P signal?

The actual shoot out was monster cable audio cabling and a coat hanger, but the idea is the same. HDMI is digital, if it gets there, it gets there.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/

 

[Dalarast]

The actual shoot out was monster cable audio cabling and a coat hanger, but the idea is the same. HDMI is digital, if it gets there, it gets there.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/03/audiophiles-cant-tell-the-difference-between-monster-cable-and/

Especially at a short distance. At long distance cables you need more shielding in the cable to protect the signal; but anything short you can go cheap especially if your just doing 720p (either tv or source).

The only big difference is certain HDMI cable's can processes higher refresh rates (such as the 120 and 240hz) with more clarity so less of a blurr or stutter affect on your screen. I personally only receiver the higher end cable for my bluray player; but I still have a short distance hence why I go cheap on the insignia brand.

Also there are plenty of local cable makers as well as online sources where you can get cables cheap. Make sure they are a reputable company first though (I have a local spot I refer all the time) and not a company that makes cheap cables that they sale to the masses and the reviews are "cheap cable, plugs in.. works" but actual informed people who can verify they have good quality cables that can handle 1080p and high refresh rate (such as the cheap dynex cable at BestBuy on the box states that it should only be used for 60hz tvs and preferred is 720p).

Wow.. I just left work... okay I need a beer now so less talk about work Now off to get taxes done!